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“No, you’re not.”

“James,” my mom said. “What is this about? If someone asked Scarlett to the dance...”

“She asked him,” Liam said.

Not helping!

“She can’t go with Leo Moore,” my dad said.

Why did he keep using his full name?

“Because Leo Moore is a criminal.”

Oh give me a break. “Dad.”

“What did he do?” my mom asked.

“He was caught shoplifting,” my dad said. “He’s a common criminal. And he’s not getting anywhere near my daughter.”

If he only knew how close I’d already gotten with Leo. “How do you even know that?” I asked.

“I had Porter run a background check.”

“You had Porter... Gah! Dad!”

“I’m sorry, pumpkin. But you’re not going to the dance with a convict.”

“I’d hardly call him a convict,” I said.

“I would.”

“Dad! He went to wilderness camp. He already did his time.”

“So you knew about this?”

“Yes and I don’t see why it matters. He’s not a current criminal.”

“He’s probably a repeat offender. Pumpkin, surely you can ask someone else.”

I felt tears welling in my eyes. “I already did, you know that!”

“What?” my mom asked.

“I asked Jacob and Axel and they both said no.”

“I didn’t know about Jacob,” my dad said. He was staring at me with that stupid pity look everyone always gave me now.

And I was so sick of it. “I know, whatever, I’m pathetic. And I have no one else to ask.” I pushed my chair back, making a horrible squeak on the floor.

“Pumpkin...”

“Don’t pumpkin me! You knew how upset I was after what happened with Axel. I thought we were getting closer. Why would you do this to me?”

“Because Leo Moore is...”

“Stop using his full name!”

“He’s leading a life of crime.”